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[Eosinophil cationic protein in the asthmatic infant: correlation with the clinic and pulmonary function]
J R Villa Asensi1, G García Hernández, M J Boya Cristiá
1Sección de Neumología y Alergia Infantil, Hospital Doce de Octubre, Madrid.
Insights
Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a valuable marker for assessing childhood asthma severity. Elevated ECP levels correlate with poorer lung function and increased inflammation, aiding in a more complete evaluation of pediatric asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Context:
- Childhood asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting millions globally.
- Accurate assessment of asthma severity and inflammation is crucial for effective management.
- Current methods like clinical scoring and lung function tests may not fully capture disease activity.
Purpose:
- To investigate the correlation between serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and various asthma indicators in children.
- To determine if ECP can serve as a reliable biomarker for assessing bronchial inflammation and asthma severity in pediatric patients.
Summary:
- Serum ECP levels were measured in 99 children with chronic asthma and correlated with eosinophil counts, lung function (FEV1, FVC, FEF25-27), and clinical scores.
- Significant correlations were found between ECP and eosinophils, clinical scoring, beta-agonist use, and lung function parameters.
- Patients with lower ECP levels (<20) demonstrated significantly better lung function compared to those with higher levels (>20).
Impact:
- Serum ECP levels appear to be a sensitive indicator of the current asthma status in children.
- ECP measurement may provide a more comprehensive evaluation of bronchial inflammation than clinical assessment or lung function alone.
- This finding could lead to improved diagnostic and monitoring strategies for pediatric asthma.
Patients And Methods:
Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was measured in 99 chronic asthmatic patients (51 males and 48 females) with a mean age of 10.59 years and correlated with the number of eosinophils, lung function, symptoms in the last 6 months and clinical scoring (that reflecting the clinical situation during the last 15 days).
Results:
Serum ECP showed a significant correlation with the total number of eosinophils (p < 0.001, R = 0.44), clinical scoring (p < 0.05, R = 0.26), number of inhaled beta 2-agonist doses needed in the last 15 days (p < 0.05, R = 0.26), forced expiratory volume during 1 second (FEV1; p < 0.01, R = -0.27), forced vital capacity (FVC; p < 0.05, R = -0.23), maximal mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-27; p < 0.001, R = -0.37). However, there was no significant correlation between the total number of eosinophils and the clinical situation of the children or the FEV1, but we found a significant correlation with the FEF25-27. Patients with ECP < 20 had better results on lung function tests than patients with ECP > 20 (FEV1: 108.89 +/- 17.7 vs 100.5 +/- 22 (p < 0.05), FEF25-27: 93.81 +/- 24.4 vs 75.21 +/- 24.5 (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The findings of this study suggest that the ECP level is a good marker of the situation of asthma in childhood. The levels of ECP will probably be able to help us to evaluate the degree of bronchial inflammation that neither the clinical state nor the lung function define completely.